The Division of Liberal Arts in co-curricular collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) is launching a new minor in leadership studies. The introductory course is scheduled to begin, as part of the undergraduate spring curriculum, in January 2015.

Leadership Studies is a 15-credit minor that seeks to prepare IUPUC students for ethical and effective leadership roles in all industries. The course objective is to equip IUPUC graduates with the right competency-based credentials to enter the local and regional workforce.

Forbes Magazine notes that taking on leadership roles while enrolled can help recent college graduates set themselves apart from other job seekers who lack such experience. In addition to providing a firm understanding of leadership principles and theories, this minor will require an experiential leadership practicum to help IUPUC students get the type of experience that will make them marketable in any career field.

Dr. Ryan Neville-Shepard, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, and co-director of the Leadership Studies explains, “Students will complete courses in foundations of leadership philosophy; ethical, social, and political components to leadership; and diversity, global and community leadership, as well as engage in a semester-long leadership experience that will require students to demonstrate their knowledge through implementation.”

Additionally, Dr. Sandra Miles, Director of Student Affairs also serves as co-director of the Leadership Studies. She shares, “Students who pursue this minor will be challenged to think from ethical and entrepreneurial perspectives. This collaboration between the Division of Liberal Arts and the Office of Student Affairs is yet another example of IUPUC’s commitment to developing students who are both intellectually astute and interpersonally savvy.”

For information, go to iupuc.edu/leadership-studies, email smiles3@iupuc.edu or nevshep@iupuc.edu.